mom's mostaccioli

Spicy Italian sausage, peppers, onions, pasta, red sauce and cheese... you can't go wrong. This is one of my all-time favorite dishes from when I was growing up. I'm calling this one "Mom's Mostaccioli" as a tribute to my mother who taught me the value of a nutritious meal. My mother cooked delicious meals for our family of seven almost every night of the week and watching her was an invaluable experience. If it wasn't for what I learned watching my mother, this blog wouldn't exist. I love you mom!





Total Recipe cost: $13.25
Servings Per Recipe: 10
Cost per serving: $1.33
Prep time: 10 min. Cook time: 20 min. Total: 30 min.

INGREDIENTS		COST
14.5 oz. box	penne pasta	$2.08
1 lb.	spicy italian sausage, casing removed	$2.98
1 26 oz. jar	pasta sauce	$2.14
3 medium	anaheim peppers	$0.79
1 medium	yellow onion	$0.58
1 large	red bell pepper	$1.68
2 Tbsp	olive oil	$0.31
1 cup	italian blend cheese	$0.99
2 oz.	feta cheese	$0.88
2.2 oz. can	sliced black olives	$0.82
TOTAL		$13.25

STEP 1: In a large pot, cook the entire box of pasta according to the directions on the box. While the pasta cooks, thinly slice the anaheim peppers, bell pepper and onion.



STEP 2: When the pasta is finished cooking, pour into a colander to drain. Set the pasta aside. Put 2 Tbsp of olive oil in the large pot and cook the sliced onions until they have softened. Remove the onions from the pot and set aside.

STEP 3: Cook the sausage in the pot until completely browned. Drain off the excess fat. Return the onions to the pot along with the bell peppers. Cook and stir over medium heat until the peppers have softened just slightly.

STEP 4: Add the sauce, italian cheese, feta and black olives to the pot. Stir well and let the mixture heat through.

STEP 5: Enjoy!

NOTE: Anaheim peppers are only just slightly spicy. If you like your food extra spicy (like we do here in the south) feel free to toss in a 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes. You can also experiment with other peppers like sweet banana peppers. This dish is awesome hot but also surprisingly delicious cold, making it the perfect one-dish lunch!